BAGUIO CITY – A 20-year old fourth-class cadet was found dead at the bottom of the swimming pool of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) after the end of their swimming lessons at around 3 pm Friday.
Police Col. Allen Rae F. Co, City Director of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), identified the fatality as cadet fourth-class Mario Telan, Jr., 20, single, and a resident of Gaffud St., Divisoria, Enrile, Cagayan.
The police official claimed that the victim was reported to be missing during the formation of the cadet corps at noon Friday and that he was last seen during their earlier swimming class.
The victim’s squad leader, cadet second class Pabilonia, reportedly fell out from the formation to search for his missing squad mate but he was not able to locate him.
He added that at around 1:20 pm Friday, another search was conducted by his upperclassmen of the Alpha company wherein they proceeded to the Jurado hall area and were able to find the victim’s things inside the comfort room of the swimming pool but he was nowhere to be found.
However, at around 2:44 pm, Lt. Garimbao informed Major Edbert Ngina, one of the tactical officers, that cadet Telan was found at the bottom of the swimming pool and was immediately rushed to the PMA station hospital for medical treatment but he was declared dead on arrival by Capt. Joseph George C. Acosta, medical corps.
Probers are still awaiting the decision of the victim’s family on whether or not to subject his remains to the mandatory autopsy to ascertain the case of his death although initial findings showed that he died due to drowning.
PMA authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the young cadet’s untimely demise.
On September 18, 2019, cadet fourth-class Darwin Dormitorio of Cagayan de Oro City died after he was repeatedly maltreated by his upper-class cadets that caused the filing of various charges against 7 PMA cadets, 2 tactical officers and 3 medical personnel aside from the inclusion of two former PMA officials, former PMA Superintendent Ronnie Evangelista and Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Bartolome Bacaro.
On October 28, 2018, cadet second class Cedric Gadia reportedly died due to cancer inside the AFP Medical Center in Quezon City.
By Dexter A. See